Flag

The subject of flag burning is once more in the news. The court ruled in 1989 on a five to four decision that flag burning was legal because it was free speech. It is interesting that a conservative Scalia voted in favor of flag burning and liberal Stevens voted against. There will be a new court in just a few years and they may have a different opinion. Polls show that 56% favor a law forbidding flag burning but this is down from 70% in 1990 shortly after the last court ruling. While the judges are not supposed to be influenced by public opinion, in cases where there is no loss of human rights they sometimes listen to the citizens.